Henry Altemus Company

The following are questions submitted via email by our visitors.

If you have a question about Altemus books that you'd like answered please click on the Questions link at the bottom left of this page.

Popular Series of Famous Authors

Q:  I am interested in the value of this book. Twice Told Tales. Thank you.

A:  Your book is from Series 150 Popular Series of Famous Authors. This seven book series was published in 1893. All of the titles are reprints.

These books originally came within dust jackets.

Because the titles are reprints of a very reprinted title, they only are worth a few dollars each.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I am trying to investigate information on a book, published by your company. The title of the book is Laddie and Miss Toosey's Mission. The actual book, in my possession, has no publication date, no author.

For reference, I have reviewed your online website. I am finding it contradictory, or perhaps it's my ignorance of book publishing. You provide the series in the Laddie Series, 1909-1909. However, there're varied references to the title, Laddie and Miss Toosey's Mission.

I read your reference/info on identifying the "series" publications. I did find the Vademecum Series, noted it as the largest of the book series. I also identified the particular book cover, used on my book (as you will note from the attached pictures) Green with a gold rose design, dated 1915.

It is not the generic light brown cover, you show in some of your referencing.

Am I close to finding out more particulars about "Laddie"?

At the rear of my book the only referral is under a listing of many books called: Altemus' Illustrated Vademecum Series. In the listings it shows as ..108 Laddie and Miss Toosey's Mission.

I have no book jacket. I have no ornamented box. In a rear book preface to other publications, in the series, it states "full cloth" and priced at forty cents.

A:  This title was published in numerous series and formats by Altemus. Your particular book is from the Vademecum Series and was published in 1915.

See: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series180.htm

This format originally came within a labeled box. See here.

It was published hundreds of times by numerous publishers from the mid 1800's on.

Devotional Series

Q:  Would you be able to give me an approximate value of this book? Morning Thoughts. I am confused since the title page only has Henry Altemus but the back includes company. Thank you for any help.

A:  Your book is part of the Devotional Series. This 75 title series was published in nine different formats between 1895 and 1933.

Most likely an old title page was used for this volume.

None of the titles in this series are especially collectible/valuable.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Is this book worth anything? It's a little less than six inches high and does have a few missing pages. Letters, Sentences and Maxims by Lord Chesterfield

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. It is a reprint (as are all the titles in this series) and was published in 1895.

See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series179.htm for more info.

It only has nominal value.

Valenciennes Series

Q:  Hello,

Attached are a couple of pictures. I am having issues dating this book (Undine). When I searched for the title nothing came up and this title did not come up under the author's name either. on your site. Any information would be great!

Thank you.

A:  Your book is part of the Valenciennes Series and was published in 1897. It is a reprint as are all the titles in this series.

See: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series181.htm

These books originally came within a labeled box.

Wee Books for Wee Folks (Platt and Munk reprints)

Q:  I am searching for a bit more information on books that were my Mother's when she was a child. I tried searching on Ebay and Biblio, but could only find a few books from varying series.

What I have:
All four Wee Books from Set No. 1. (Tale of Peter Rabbit, Peter Rabbit Went To Sea, Peter Rabbit at the Farm, Peter Rabbit's Christmas)
Two books from Set No. 7.
Two books from Set No. 8.
Four books from Set No. or Series No. 126.
And, one book entitled, 'Peter Rabbit and the Little Girl'.

Each book is in excellent condition. In fact, I'm not sure they've ever been read or looked through.

A:  These books are reprints of the original Altemus Wee Books for Wee Folks volumes. Altemus published these little books in several series between 1904 and 1933. Platt and Munk reprinted a number of titles in beginning in 1935. The reprints and the Altemus originals came with dust jackets. The reprints also came in labeled boxes. A Platt and Munk box is shown here.

For more information see: http://henryaltemus.com/reprints/platt.html

Trevose Series

Q:  I was wondering if you could tell me the age of my little copy of The King of the Golden River. It is a very plain cover, which looks like none of the others on your site save A Shropshire Lad.

Thank you for any information you can give me.

A:  Your book is part of the seven volume Trevose Series. These reprints were published between 1915 and 1933 and originally came boxed.

A representative series picture is shown here: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series176.htm

There is no point that distinguishes an early printing from a later printing.

One Syllable Series

Q:  I was wondering if you would know how much these books were worth (general ball park). The Swiss family Robinson was copyright in 1900 by Henry Altemus.
The Gulliver's Travels copyright in 1899 by Henry Altemus.
If you could help I would appreciate it. Thank you.

A:  Both of these books are part of the One Syllable Series. This 12 book series had four formats and this is format #2. The format 3 books were published between 1900 and 1908. They originally came with a dust jacket. (see here) In mediocre condition without a dust jacket they only have nominal value.

Popular Series of Famous Authors

Q:  Greetings,
I came across your website in a search for info about a book that has been passed down through my husband’s family. It is an edition of Drummond's Addresses, with 8 stories. Approximate measurement is 4-1/2 x 6 inches. A handwritten inscription reads "To Lizzie from Alice. Christmas 1893."

I've attached photos. Can you tell me anything about this book? I didn't see this particular cover on your website. Is there any resale value?

A:  This book belongs to the seven title Series #150 Popular Series of Famous Authors. This titles previously had been published as a non series book. This is the only Altemus series that uses this particular left sided cover decoration. These books originally had dust jackets.

For more information see: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series150.htm.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I recently acquired a book that I can't locate anywhere. It is WEIRD TALES, 1899. What I am finding is that every copy I've seen and every other frontispiece illustration used in this printing does not match the one I have. I've seen other sellers date this at 1895, when I think it is actually 1899.

The copyright page says 1895, but the illustration says 1899. The illustration is a ghastly color version of the ape cutting a woman's head off. I have not seen this in color anywhere else but in the book I have.

Can you tell me about it and it's possible value?

I am a new collector and after perusing the Altemus website, I am a big fan. All of your books are beautiful!

A:  Your book is from the Vademecum Series and was published in 1899. This cover format was published in a number of different colors (some examples are shown here) and sold within a labeled box.

All of the books in this series are reprints. Therefore the value of these titles is somewhat limited. On the other hand, there are Poe completists out there who want every Poe format. One of them might feel this book is worth a bit. Hard to say.